Chinese course / Character learning
Start recognising Chinese characters
Start with five characters, then stop and revisit them tomorrow. Read the useful word aloud, notice one detail in its shape, and cover the help before trying again. You can keep learning spoken Chinese while character recognition develops.
New to pinyin? First try sounds and pinyin. The character foundations lesson explains characters, words and components.
How to practise without rushing
- Look at one character and its useful word. Use the help as often as you need today.
- Close the help. Try saying the word and recalling its meaning. If it is new, reopen the model and try again later.
- Tomorrow, mix yesterday's five with a few new ones. Spend extra time on shapes you confuse.
- For handwriting, open the stroke panel and follow the model. Copy once carefully on paper, then cover it and write once from memory. Compare the shape and proportions; repeated copying alone does not check recall.
Recognition, pronunciation, typing and handwriting are separate skills. Practise the one you need. Shape cues help you distinguish characters; stroke panels show how to form them. A component clue is not a guaranteed meaning or reading.
This sequence is arranged for learning, not by syllabus level. It teaches 375 simplified characters in useful words, including the shared HSK 1–2 handwriting targets. The readings below apply to those words; some characters have other readings. Use the stroke panels when handwriting is your goal.
Page 11 of 13. Start with one five-character group today. Use the words here first; linked word examples may introduce language you have not studied yet.
61. Run, jump and kick
Notice the repeated foot-side part while learning different complete actions.
跑
Learn the shape and a useful word
A narrowed 足 on the left and 包 on the right. Compare the right part with the 各 in 路.
跑步 · pǎo bù
run; go running
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 12 strokes · write 跑
Watch the direction and order. Use “Next stroke” to go slowly, then try writing with the model hidden. On paper, copy once, cover the model, write once, and compare.
Open this panel to load the model.
The writing check compares your strokes with this model. A completed trace is practice, rather than proof of independent handwriting. Your strokes stay on this page.
The model's font shape can differ from the reading font. Compare stroke structure and proportions rather than font styling.
跳
Learn the shape and a useful word
A narrowed 足 on the left and 兆 on the right. Notice the separated side strokes and lower hooks in the right part.
跳 · tiào
jump
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 13 strokes · write 跳
Watch the direction and order. Use “Next stroke” to go slowly, then try writing with the model hidden. On paper, copy once, cover the model, write once, and compare.
Open this panel to load the model.
The writing check compares your strokes with this model. A completed trace is practice, rather than proof of independent handwriting. Your strokes stay on this page.
The model's font shape can differ from the reading font. Compare stroke structure and proportions rather than font styling.
踢
Learn the shape and a useful word
A narrowed 足 on the left and 易 on the right. 日 is near the top of the right-hand part.
踢足球 · tī zú qiú
play football; kick a football
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 15 strokes · write 踢
Watch the direction and order. Use “Next stroke” to go slowly, then try writing with the model hidden. On paper, copy once, cover the model, write once, and compare.
Open this panel to load the model.
The writing check compares your strokes with this model. A completed trace is practice, rather than proof of independent handwriting. Your strokes stay on this page.
The model's font shape can differ from the reading font. Compare stroke structure and proportions rather than font styling.
球
Learn the shape and a useful word
王 on the left and 求 on the right. Compare the left part with the 王 in 玩.
球 · qiú
ball
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 11 strokes · write 球
Watch the direction and order. Use “Next stroke” to go slowly, then try writing with the model hidden. On paper, copy once, cover the model, write once, and compare.
Open this panel to load the model.
The writing check compares your strokes with this model. A completed trace is practice, rather than proof of independent handwriting. Your strokes stay on this page.
The model's font shape can differ from the reading font. Compare stroke structure and proportions rather than font styling.
足
Learn the shape and a useful word
口 above a lower part with upright and spreading strokes. Look for its narrowed form on the left of 跑, 跳 and 踢.
足球 · zú qiú
football; soccer
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 7 strokes · write 足
Watch the direction and order. Use “Next stroke” to go slowly, then try writing with the model hidden. On paper, copy once, cover the model, write once, and compare.
Open this panel to load the model.
The writing check compares your strokes with this model. A completed trace is practice, rather than proof of independent handwriting. Your strokes stay on this page.
The model's font shape can differ from the reading font. Compare stroke structure and proportions rather than font styling.
Try with the help closed: Which three action characters share a narrowed 足? Read 跑步 and 足球.
Check and learn
跑, 跳 and 踢 share a narrowed 足. 跑步 pǎo bù means run; 足球 zú qiú means football or soccer. 踢足球 tī zú qiú means play football or kick a football.
62. Sport, swimming and dancing
Recognise complete activity words and distinguish similar water-side characters.
篮
Learn the shape and a useful word
⺮ above 监. The lower part ends in a 皿-shaped base with inner uprights.
篮球 · lán qiú
basketball
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 16 strokes · write 篮
Watch the direction and order. Use “Next stroke” to go slowly, then try writing with the model hidden. On paper, copy once, cover the model, write once, and compare.
Open this panel to load the model.
The writing check compares your strokes with this model. A completed trace is practice, rather than proof of independent handwriting. Your strokes stay on this page.
The model's font shape can differ from the reading font. Compare stroke structure and proportions rather than font styling.
泳
Learn the shape and a useful word
氵 on the left and 永 on the right. Compare the complete right part with the more complex right side of 游.
游泳 · yóu yǒng
swim; swimming
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 8 strokes · write 泳
Watch the direction and order. Use “Next stroke” to go slowly, then try writing with the model hidden. On paper, copy once, cover the model, write once, and compare.
Open this panel to load the model.
The writing check compares your strokes with this model. A completed trace is practice, rather than proof of independent handwriting. Your strokes stay on this page.
The model's font shape can differ from the reading font. Compare stroke structure and proportions rather than font styling.
游
Learn the shape and a useful word
氵 on the left, with 方 and an upper short-stroke part above 子 on the right. Compare the complete right side with the 永 in 泳.
游泳 · yóu yǒng
swim; swimming
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 12 strokes · write 游
Watch the direction and order. Use “Next stroke” to go slowly, then try writing with the model hidden. On paper, copy once, cover the model, write once, and compare.
Open this panel to load the model.
The writing check compares your strokes with this model. A completed trace is practice, rather than proof of independent handwriting. Your strokes stay on this page.
The model's font shape can differ from the reading font. Compare stroke structure and proportions rather than font styling.
运
Learn the shape and a useful word
云 inside 辶. Compare the inner part with the 元 in 远.
运动 · yùn dòng
exercise; sport; move, in selected uses
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 7 strokes · write 运
Watch the direction and order. Use “Next stroke” to go slowly, then try writing with the model hidden. On paper, copy once, cover the model, write once, and compare.
Open this panel to load the model.
The writing check compares your strokes with this model. A completed trace is practice, rather than proof of independent handwriting. Your strokes stay on this page.
The model's font shape can differ from the reading font. Compare stroke structure and proportions rather than font styling.
舞
Learn the shape and a useful word
A wide upper part with several uprights sits above two different lower parts. Follow the stroke model to keep the lower left and lower right distinct.
跳舞 · tiào wǔ
dance
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 14 strokes · write 舞
Watch the direction and order. Use “Next stroke” to go slowly, then try writing with the model hidden. On paper, copy once, cover the model, write once, and compare.
Open this panel to load the model.
The writing check compares your strokes with this model. A completed trace is practice, rather than proof of independent handwriting. Your strokes stay on this page.
The model's font shape can differ from the reading font. Compare stroke structure and proportions rather than font styling.
Try with the help closed: Which two characters together mean swim? Which character has 云 inside 辶?
Check and learn
游泳 yóu yǒng means swim. 运 has 云 inside 辶 and appears in 运动 yùn dòng, exercise or sport. 篮球 lán qiú means basketball; 跳舞 tiào wǔ means dance.
63. Body words and looking carefully
Learn common body words and distinguish 目 from 日 inside a character.
身
Learn the shape and a useful word
An upright enclosed shape with inner horizontal lines is crossed by a long lower sloping stroke. Check the full model rather than reducing it to 目.
身体 · shēn tǐ
body; health, according to context
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 7 strokes · write 身
Watch the direction and order. Use “Next stroke” to go slowly, then try writing with the model hidden. On paper, copy once, cover the model, write once, and compare.
Open this panel to load the model.
The writing check compares your strokes with this model. A completed trace is practice, rather than proof of independent handwriting. Your strokes stay on this page.
The model's font shape can differ from the reading font. Compare stroke structure and proportions rather than font styling.
体
Learn the shape and a useful word
亻 on the left and 本 on the right. Compare with 休, whose right-hand 木 lacks 本's extra short stroke.
身体 · shēn tǐ
body; health, according to context
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 7 strokes · write 体
Watch the direction and order. Use “Next stroke” to go slowly, then try writing with the model hidden. On paper, copy once, cover the model, write once, and compare.
Open this panel to load the model.
The writing check compares your strokes with this model. A completed trace is practice, rather than proof of independent handwriting. Your strokes stay on this page.
The model's font shape can differ from the reading font. Compare stroke structure and proportions rather than font styling.
头
Learn the shape and a useful word
Two small upper dots sit above a 大-like lower crossing with a long sloping stroke.
头 · tóu
head
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 5 strokes · write 头
Watch the direction and order. Use “Next stroke” to go slowly, then try writing with the model hidden. On paper, copy once, cover the model, write once, and compare.
Open this panel to load the model.
The writing check compares your strokes with this model. A completed trace is practice, rather than proof of independent handwriting. Your strokes stay on this page.
The model's font shape can differ from the reading font. Compare stroke structure and proportions rather than font styling.
眼
Learn the shape and a useful word
目 on the left and 艮 on the right. Compare its left side with the 彳 in 很.
眼睛 · yǎn jing
eye; eyes
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 11 strokes · write 眼
Watch the direction and order. Use “Next stroke” to go slowly, then try writing with the model hidden. On paper, copy once, cover the model, write once, and compare.
Open this panel to load the model.
The writing check compares your strokes with this model. A completed trace is practice, rather than proof of independent handwriting. Your strokes stay on this page.
The model's font shape can differ from the reading font. Compare stroke structure and proportions rather than font styling.
睛
Learn the shape and a useful word
目 on the left and 青 on the right. Compare the right side with the 艮 in 眼.
眼睛 · yǎn jing
eye; eyes
睛 is neutral jing in 眼睛. Its citation reading is jīng.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 13 strokes · write 睛
Watch the direction and order. Use “Next stroke” to go slowly, then try writing with the model hidden. On paper, copy once, cover the model, write once, and compare.
Open this panel to load the model.
The writing check compares your strokes with this model. A completed trace is practice, rather than proof of independent handwriting. Your strokes stay on this page.
The model's font shape can differ from the reading font. Compare stroke structure and proportions rather than font styling.
Try with the help closed: Which two characters share 目 on the left? What extra stroke distinguishes 体 from 休?
Check and learn
眼 and 睛 share 目. 眼睛 yǎn jing means eye or eyes. 体 has 本 on the right, including an extra short horizontal stroke; 休 has 木. 身体 shēn tǐ means body or health according to context.
64. Health and comfort words
Recognise everyday words about feeling comfortable and talking about health.
夫
Learn the shape and a useful word
Two horizontal strokes are crossed by a central upright that spreads into lower strokes. Compare with 天 by checking where the upright begins.
大夫 · dài fu
doctor
大夫 is dài fu, with neutral fu. Do not read this complete word as dà fū.
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 4 strokes · write 夫
Watch the direction and order. Use “Next stroke” to go slowly, then try writing with the model hidden. On paper, copy once, cover the model, write once, and compare.
Open this panel to load the model.
The writing check compares your strokes with this model. A completed trace is practice, rather than proof of independent handwriting. Your strokes stay on this page.
The model's font shape can differ from the reading font. Compare stroke structure and proportions rather than font styling.
疼
Learn the shape and a useful word
疒 covers 冬. Compare its inner part with the 丙 in 病.
疼 · téng
hurt; be painful
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 10 strokes · write 疼
Watch the direction and order. Use “Next stroke” to go slowly, then try writing with the model hidden. On paper, copy once, cover the model, write once, and compare.
Open this panel to load the model.
The writing check compares your strokes with this model. A completed trace is practice, rather than proof of independent handwriting. Your strokes stay on this page.
The model's font shape can differ from the reading font. Compare stroke structure and proportions rather than font styling.
药
Learn the shape and a useful word
艹 above 约. The lower part includes 纟 beside 勺.
药 · yào
medicine
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 9 strokes · write 药
Watch the direction and order. Use “Next stroke” to go slowly, then try writing with the model hidden. On paper, copy once, cover the model, write once, and compare.
Open this panel to load the model.
The writing check compares your strokes with this model. A completed trace is practice, rather than proof of independent handwriting. Your strokes stay on this page.
The model's font shape can differ from the reading font. Compare stroke structure and proportions rather than font styling.
舒
Learn the shape and a useful word
舍 on the left and 予 on the right. Compare the hooked right-hand stroke with a printed model.
舒服 · shū fu
comfortable; feel well
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 12 strokes · write 舒
Watch the direction and order. Use “Next stroke” to go slowly, then try writing with the model hidden. On paper, copy once, cover the model, write once, and compare.
Open this panel to load the model.
The writing check compares your strokes with this model. A completed trace is practice, rather than proof of independent handwriting. Your strokes stay on this page.
The model's font shape can differ from the reading font. Compare stroke structure and proportions rather than font styling.
情
Learn the shape and a useful word
忄 on the left and 青 on the right. Compare with 睛, which has 目 beside 青.
心情 · xīn qíng
mood; state of mind
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 11 strokes · write 情
Watch the direction and order. Use “Next stroke” to go slowly, then try writing with the model hidden. On paper, copy once, cover the model, write once, and compare.
Open this panel to load the model.
The writing check compares your strokes with this model. A completed trace is practice, rather than proof of independent handwriting. Your strokes stay on this page.
The model's font shape can differ from the reading font. Compare stroke structure and proportions rather than font styling.
Try with the help closed: Read 大夫 and 舒服. Which word names a doctor, and which describes comfort? What left parts distinguish 情 and 睛?
Check and learn
大夫 dài fu names a doctor; 舒服 shū fu describes comfort or feeling well. 情 has 忄 on the left; 睛 has 目. 心情 xīn qíng means mood.
65. Flowers, pictures and expressions
Read everyday nouns and actions without using a component as a guaranteed meaning.
花
Learn the shape and a useful word
艹 above 化. The lower part has 亻 on the left and 匕 on the right.
花 · huā
flower, in the selected use
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 7 strokes · write 花
Watch the direction and order. Use “Next stroke” to go slowly, then try writing with the model hidden. On paper, copy once, cover the model, write once, and compare.
Open this panel to load the model.
The writing check compares your strokes with this model. A completed trace is practice, rather than proof of independent handwriting. Your strokes stay on this page.
The model's font shape can differ from the reading font. Compare stroke structure and proportions rather than font styling.
画
Learn the shape and a useful word
A horizontal top sits above 田 within an open-top lower enclosure. Compare its lower edge with 田 alone.
画 · huà
draw; painting or picture, in selected uses
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 8 strokes · write 画
Watch the direction and order. Use “Next stroke” to go slowly, then try writing with the model hidden. On paper, copy once, cover the model, write once, and compare.
Open this panel to load the model.
The writing check compares your strokes with this model. A completed trace is practice, rather than proof of independent handwriting. Your strokes stay on this page.
The model's font shape can differ from the reading font. Compare stroke structure and proportions rather than font styling.
色
Learn the shape and a useful word
A short turning upper part sits above 巴. Compare the lower 巴 with the right part of 吧.
颜色 · yán sè
colour; color
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 6 strokes · write 色
Watch the direction and order. Use “Next stroke” to go slowly, then try writing with the model hidden. On paper, copy once, cover the model, write once, and compare.
Open this panel to load the model.
The writing check compares your strokes with this model. A completed trace is practice, rather than proof of independent handwriting. Your strokes stay on this page.
The model's font shape can differ from the reading font. Compare stroke structure and proportions rather than font styling.
颜
Learn the shape and a useful word
彦 on the left and 页 on the right. Notice the sloping 彡 strokes within the left side.
颜色 · yán sè
colour; color
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 15 strokes · write 颜
Watch the direction and order. Use “Next stroke” to go slowly, then try writing with the model hidden. On paper, copy once, cover the model, write once, and compare.
Open this panel to load the model.
The writing check compares your strokes with this model. A completed trace is practice, rather than proof of independent handwriting. Your strokes stay on this page.
The model's font shape can differ from the reading font. Compare stroke structure and proportions rather than font styling.
笑
Learn the shape and a useful word
⺮ above 夭. Compare the lower short sloping top stroke with the horizontal one in 天.
笑 · xiào
smile; laugh
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 10 strokes · write 笑
Watch the direction and order. Use “Next stroke” to go slowly, then try writing with the model hidden. On paper, copy once, cover the model, write once, and compare.
Open this panel to load the model.
The writing check compares your strokes with this model. A completed trace is practice, rather than proof of independent handwriting. Your strokes stay on this page.
The model's font shape can differ from the reading font. Compare stroke structure and proportions rather than font styling.
Try with the help closed: Which two characters form 颜色? Read 花, 画 and 笑.
Check and learn
颜 and 色 form 颜色 yán sè, colour. 花 huā means flower in this use; 画 huà can mean draw or picture; 笑 xiào means smile or laugh. A shared part does not supply every word's meaning.
66. Names and family relationships
Recognise family words while distinguishing a name word from a pronoun.
爷
Learn the shape and a useful word
父 above 卩. Compare with 爸, which has 巴 below 父.
爷爷 · yé ye
paternal grandfather; father's father
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 6 strokes · write 爷
Watch the direction and order. Use “Next stroke” to go slowly, then try writing with the model hidden. On paper, copy once, cover the model, write once, and compare.
Open this panel to load the model.
The writing check compares your strokes with this model. A completed trace is practice, rather than proof of independent handwriting. Your strokes stay on this page.
The model's font shape can differ from the reading font. Compare stroke structure and proportions rather than font styling.
妻
Learn the shape and a useful word
An upper horizontal and crossed middle sit above 女. Compare the position of 女 with its position on the left of 妈.
妻子 · qī zi
wife
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 8 strokes · write 妻
Watch the direction and order. Use “Next stroke” to go slowly, then try writing with the model hidden. On paper, copy once, cover the model, write once, and compare.
Open this panel to load the model.
The writing check compares your strokes with this model. A completed trace is practice, rather than proof of independent handwriting. Your strokes stay on this page.
The model's font shape can differ from the reading font. Compare stroke structure and proportions rather than font styling.
丈
Learn the shape and a useful word
A horizontal line crosses two long lower strokes. Compare its joining point and slant with 大.
丈夫 · zhàng fu
husband
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 3 strokes · write 丈
Watch the direction and order. Use “Next stroke” to go slowly, then try writing with the model hidden. On paper, copy once, cover the model, write once, and compare.
Open this panel to load the model.
The writing check compares your strokes with this model. A completed trace is practice, rather than proof of independent handwriting. Your strokes stay on this page.
The model's font shape can differ from the reading font. Compare stroke structure and proportions rather than font styling.
姓
Learn the shape and a useful word
女 on the left and 生 on the right. Compare its right side with the 未 in 妹.
姓 · xìng
have the family name; family name, in selected uses
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 8 strokes · write 姓
Watch the direction and order. Use “Next stroke” to go slowly, then try writing with the model hidden. On paper, copy once, cover the model, write once, and compare.
Open this panel to load the model.
The writing check compares your strokes with this model. A completed trace is practice, rather than proof of independent handwriting. Your strokes stay on this page.
The model's font shape can differ from the reading font. Compare stroke structure and proportions rather than font styling.
自
Learn the shape and a useful word
A small top sloping stroke sits above 目. Keep that extra top stroke when comparing 自 with 目.
自己 · zì jǐ
oneself; myself, yourself or another self according to context
Find words with this character, examples and available audio
Learn the 6 strokes · write 自
Watch the direction and order. Use “Next stroke” to go slowly, then try writing with the model hidden. On paper, copy once, cover the model, write once, and compare.
Open this panel to load the model.
The writing check compares your strokes with this model. A completed trace is practice, rather than proof of independent handwriting. Your strokes stay on this page.
The model's font shape can differ from the reading font. Compare stroke structure and proportions rather than font styling.
Try with the help closed: Read 爷爷 and 自己. Which word specifies the father's father? Which character has 女 beside 生?
Check and learn
爷爷 yé ye means the father's father. 自己 zì jǐ means oneself and changes its English translation with context. 姓 xìng has 女 beside 生 and is used for family names.
Choose your next character list
Use the level lists alongside lessons you understand. The lists keep recognition and handwriting requirements separate. A listed character is a study target, rather than evidence of mastery.
HSK 1 charactersHSK 2 charactersHSK 3 charactersHSK 4 charactersHSK 5 charactersHSK 6 characters
Stroke model credits
Models: Hanzi Writer Data, derived from Make Me a Hanzi. Copyright © 1999 Arphic Technology Co., Ltd. Data is provided without warranty and may be redistributed under the Arphic Public License. Renderer: MIT license.